| Homegrown ladies bags
By Ijeoma Ogwuegbu and Agatha Emeadi
Friday, November 7, 2008
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Photos:
Sun News Publishing
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Several young Nigerian accessories designers are currently
giving the big international names a run for their money,
in Nigeria at least. Due to the hard work of these young ladies,
it is now as fashionable to carry a Nigerian-branded bag,
as it is to bag an YSL or Prada one.
Yemisi Olagbaiye’s love for leather handbags has metamorphosed
and drawn clientele to her label.
With handcrafted handbags made to every customer’s specifications,
she is giving a very personal touch to something that could
otherwise be mass-market. She is the brain behind the brand
Yemisio, formerly known as Virtuoso, a label known for quality
leather bags. From her north-south end of Apapa territory,
Olagbaiye beautifies stylish women with trendy fashion accessories,
especially the leather handbags.
“When I see my clients carrying my bags, I pray secretly
in my heart and thank God for the vision. Gone are the days
when women have sleepless nights over how to acquire a particular
leather handbag. We go for quality leather, fabrics and accessories
for each item,” she says.
Top Nigerian milliner, Nena Kal Hunter, has been a very busy
beaver. How much work she has been doing quietly recently
unfolded, with the launch of her line of handbags.
“My Funky Retro Handbags are made with designer fabrics
from America and high quality PU leather,” Hunter told
Daily Sun recently. “These bags are made for the kind
of girl who likes Burgers and Bergdorfs, Motorcycles and Manolos,
serious fashionistas who wish to be unique in their own style.
My bags are so unique and are produced with vintage fabric.
Only 48 pieces of each design is produced worldwide. There
will never be a repeat of these bags anywhere in the world,
meaning they are a collector’s item.”
It appears she has her eye set on the crown currently worn
by the big international guns like Prada.
“I started with hats but the truth is I am trying to
build a lifestyle visionary brand just like the top and famous
brands. Remember I also studied handbag and belt design at
Central Saint Martins College, London. I just never practiced
that bit because my hat business exploded by surprise and
kept me so busy that I had very little time for myself. I
still have so many things I am yet to do but things will unfold
gradually by God’s grace. Another thing that make them
special is that they bear the label name – Nena Kal
Hunter, which is strictly Nigerian. Nigerians should be proud
while Hunter’s are a profusion of bright, fun and funky
colours, Olagbaiye’s work features elegant lines with
a touch of colour.”
One great thing about the work from both Hunter and Olagbaiye
is the great attention to detail and finishing both have made
a hallmark of their work, something that many have always
considered the bane of made-in-Nigeria products. With these
ladies and many others like them working hard, it will be
only a matter of time before the world stops to take notice
of Nigeria’s burgeoning homegrown bag ladies.
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